Agency Water & Soil Resources Board

Contractor EcoSource

SWIFT Contract Number 122613

Project Name To develop and implement a state led technical training and certificate program

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: This project will involve creating and delivering three online training courses comprised of multiple modules for the following Core Competency areas: Conservation Planning, Soils, and Water Quality.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 04/14/2017 - 00:00

Original end date Sat, 06/30/2018 - 00:00

Actual end date Thu, 12/31/2020 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $286245.00

Amendments $11500.00

Contract total $297745.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? 2302/R9PC047 & 3000 / R9PNRC2

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Jenny Gieseke

Evaluator Email Address jenny.gieseke@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Multiple deadlines were missed, and our staff had to initiate weekly meetings to keep the project moving. Contract had to be extended twice, however, some of this was due to staff turnover in our agency.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Visuals, graphics and interactions of the developed modules were good. Content development by the contractor was below the adult professional level sought for the project.

Evaluate the contractor's cost Difficult to evaluate. The project was more difficult than anticipated, resulting in more time needed by both the contractor and our agency.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Overall the performance was inconsistent. Some of the modules, visuals and interactions developed by the contractor were very good, but many needed redoing. Our staff ended up completing much of the work and developing most of the informational content. There were multiple problems throughout the project, some of which were on our end, some were on the part of the contractor. Overall, our agency and the vendor both underestimated the size and scope of this project.

On a positive note, the contractor did work with us to adapt to what we needed and did try to complete the project. They were not difficult to work with, I think the project was just bigger than they had capacity for at the time.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? No

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): none

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 2 - dissatisfied